In the 11-year period of 2005 through 2015, canines killed 360 Americans. Pit bulls contributed to 64% (232) of these deaths. Combined, pit bulls and rottweilers contributed to 76% of the total recorded deaths. | More »

Sunday, September 14, 2008

From time-to-time, DogsBite.org is requested by a municipality to create an interim year fatality report, such as this. What stands out thus far is the high percentage of pit bull killings (61%), that only one person over the age of 2 was killed by a breed other than a pit bull and that 100% of off-property attacks have been attributed to pit bulls. The high rate of infant fatalities (1-years old and younger) across a variety of breeds stands out as well.

18 US fatal dog attacks have occurred so far in 2008. Pit bull type dogs were responsible for 61% (11). Pit bulls make up approximately 5% of the US dog population.

Only one person over the age of 2 has been killed by a breed other than a pit bull this year; a 74-year old woman was fatally mauled by her two dogs (Australian shepherd-mix and a golden retriever-mix).

67% of the attacks occurred to children (11 years and under). Half of these incidents occurred to ages 1 and younger. 33% of all fatalities occurred to adults (21 years and older).